Leadership Greater Syracuse Graduates its 35th Class


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Michele Diecuch
michele@leadsyr.org
(315) 422-5471

Leadership Greater Syracuse Graduates its 35th Class

(November 21, 2025 – East Syracuse, New York) – Leadership Greater Syracuse (LGS) is pleased to announce the graduation of its flagship program’s class of 2025. Fifty individuals will be celebrating completion of a year-long immersive experience that equips them with community leadership skills. The class will celebrate their graduation on:

Thursday, December 4th
Bellevue Country Club
5:00-8:00 p.m.

 Leadership Greater Syracuse’s flagship program is an in-depth, experiential learning program that immerses participants into the achievements, challenges, and changes happening in Central New York. Graduates gain knowledge about the Syracuse community and critical leadership skills designed to inspire them to affect positive change. “It’s exciting to celebrate the graduating class because they are eager and energized to make an impact in their workplaces and within the community,” said LGS Executive Director, Michele Diecuch.

LGS is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025. Since its inception, 1,600 people have graduated from its flagship program. Participants represent more than 500 local employers that are large corporations, small businesses, and nonprofits. Each year, LGS’s class is diverse in terms of age, gender, race/ethnicity, industry, and physical ability. Diecuch adds “The strength of LGS’s alumni is the diversity of participants that learn together and form connections—the framework for collective impact in Central New York.”

Robin Macaluso, LGS Program Director, said “This year’s graduates have shown remarkable commitment to personal growth, collaboration, and our community. From stepping out of their comfort zones to embracing the challenges of leadership, they’ve not only grown as individuals but also strengthened the bonds that make a community thrive. I’m honored to celebrate their journey and excited for the impact they’ll continue to make.”

LGS’s mission is to inspire current and future leaders to make a difference in the community where we live and work. Leadership Greater Syracuse was founded in 1990 by CenterState CEO, Onondaga County, the City of Syracuse, and Onondaga Community College. LGS is financially supported by many organizations including United Radio, Turning Stone Resort Casino, Community Bank, and VIP Structures.

For more information about Leadership Greater Syracuse, visit http://www.leadsyr.org.

Leadership Greater Syracuse Class of 2025

Diana Abdella NYS Assembly Syracuse
Thomas Baniewicz Suburban Propane Syracuse
Araba Black AccessCNY East Syracuse
Nicholas Bouchard Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York East Syracuse
Ronnie Bradford SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse
Jessica Brandt City of Syracuse Syracuse
Sarah Bruce Syracuse Habitat for Humanity, Inc. Syracuse
Mollie Burnett Dairy Farmers of America East Syracuse
Colleen Casler Madison County Rural Health Council Chittenango
Jessica Cushman Baxter Skaneateles
James Dalpe VIP Structures Syracuse
Sheila Dion Erin’s Angels of CNY Baldwinsville
Gabrielle Eure C&S Companies Syracuse
Joshua Gadek Lifetime Benefit Solutions Syracuse
Kelly Hsieh Turning Stone Enterprises LLC Verona
Britani Ingison Rescue Mission Syracuse
Jessica James formerly of NYS Office of Attorney General Syracuse
Zeeshan James TIP Quotient Fayetteville
Michael Jennings Brackens Financial Solutions Network Syracuse
Adam King Loretto Syracuse
Ryan Lavin Deloitte Cazenovia
Erin Lewis Pyramid Management Group LLC Syracuse
Scott Lombardo Key Private Bank Syracuse
Evan Matson Lockheed Martin Liverpool
Chelsea McClellan Advocates Incorporated Liverpool
Elise McMillan NY Air National Guard Syracuse
Cory Miller Syracuse University Syracuse
John Murphy Hueber Breuer Syracuse
Janna Nelson SRC North Syracuse
Dominick Nicoletti UMR / UnitedHealthcare Syracuse
Robert Padula Empower Federal Credit Union Syracuse
Joseph Paice AmeriCU Credit Union Camillus
Melissa Patnella Syracuse Orthopedic Surgeons East Syracuse
Sarah Peterman symplr Syracuse
Susan Phillips CenterState CEO Syracuse
Andrea Price Elysium Estates Manlius
Alicia Reese OneGroup Syracuse
Bridget Rooney Visit Syracuse Syracuse
Katherine Schmid PFS Investments, Inc. East Syracuse
Leah Sharkey Centolella Law, P.C. Dewitt
Penny Snell YMCA of Central New York Syracuse
Derek Snyder USAF Syracuse
Edwin Theetge Longhouse Council, Scouting America Syracuse
Sonal Trivedi Lotte Biologics USA LLC Syracuse
Alissa Tubbs United Way of Central New York Syracuse
Conor Utter Hayner Hoyt Syracuse
Sarah Vaccaro Lockheed Martin Liverpool
Jeremy Vitale M&T Bank Syracuse
Adrienne Votra Quality Mechanical Services LLC Syracuse
Loren Wahl Bowers & Company CPAs PLLC Syracuse

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